Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Neurology
We foster a department that is diverse in people and ideas
We foster a department that is diverse in people and ideas; is inclusive of diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ability and disability, age and appearance. We strive to provide the highest quality care for all people, with understanding of historical racial, ethnic, and gender-biases that have undermined care equity.
OHSU Department of Neurology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Recruitment
We strive to recruit, retain, and support diverse faculty, residents, staff, and interns. Our Department is dedicated to the advancement of racially, ethnically and gender-diverse faculty, staff, fellows, and students.
Research
We are dedicated to research that engages diverse populations and that examines issues affecting the health and well-being of underrepresented and marginalized groups.
- Raina Croff, Ph.D. participated in forums to increase research participation of diverse groups: Alzheimer’s Researchers Seek Advice on How to Include African-Americans and Including Older Adults in Research.
Mentoring and training
We are actively engaged in mentoring and training future scientists who come from economically and racially underserved groups. Leadership includes:
- Letisha R. Wyatt, Ph.D., coordinator for Neuroscience Diversity in Research Post-baccalaureate
- Raina Croff, Ph.D. and Allison Lindauer, Ph.D., N.P., OHSU/PSU NIH BUILD EXITO program (Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center Newsletter, page 5)
Care for patients of all backgrounds
Our faculty participate in local and national advocacy initiatives, and research initiatives to address and raise awareness of neurologic care of patients from all backgrounds.
- Holly Hinson, M.D., M.C.R., leads initiatives on quality of care for LGBTQ community.
- Raina Croff, Ph.D. and Allison Lindauer, Ph.D., N.P. lead innovative research initiates to PreSERVE brain wellness in Portland’s black elder community.
How we foster a culture of belonging
We believe in fostering inclusivity and creating a culture of belonging for all faculty, staff, and trainees, wherein diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to the advancement of our department.
- Our Neurology Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets regularly and engages departmental leadership, junior and senior faculty, residents, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, interns, and staff.
- Faculty members Edward Kim, M.D. and Marissa Kellogg, M.D., M.P.H. lead resident discussions to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion supports at OHSU. Learn more about our residency program.
Unconscious bias training
We are dedicated to examining our unconscious biases and provide tools for our faculty, staff, and trainees to uphold quality and equity for all.
- We support the need for unconscious bias training for all employees in the Department of Neurology
- We host periodic Neurology Grand Rounds focusing on diverse populations, and on diversity, inclusion, and unconscious bias in medicine. Visiting lecturer Lisa Barnes, Ph.D., Rush Medical Center, presented on Race and Cognitive Aging. Jeffrey Proulx, Ph.D. presented on Exploring Implicit Bias in Clinical and Academic Settings. Holly Hinson, M.D., M.C.R. presented on LGBQTI Health in Neurology.
Upcoming events of interest
Spotlight on...
Ozama (Oz) Ismail, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral scholar in the Mishra Lab, studying the mechanistic links between small stroke events and the onset of Alzheimer’s pathology later in life. Oz is also an advocate for improving diversity and addressing racial inequity and is passionate about raising minoritized voices within science and society. He co-founded the Minorities in STEM network and sits on the board of the Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science. Oz is also an avid science communicator and co-hosts a popular science podcast called Why Aren’t You A Doctor Yet? (on Spotify). Podcast also available on iTunes.
Resources
OHSU
- OHSU Center for Diversity and Inclusion
- OHSU Neuroscience Graduate Program Diversity Mission
- Employee resource groups
National
- American Academy of Neurology: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- American Academy of Neurology: Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Tools
- Implicit bias tools Harvard Project Implicit – 15 IAT
- Avoiding gender bias in reference writing Arizona State University
- Gender bias calculator on Github
Articles
- Holly Hinson, M.D. (OHSU) Publication in Neurology: AAN members on treating sexual and gender minorities
- Roy Hamilton, MD, MS (U Penn) Enhancing Diversity in Academic Neurology
- From OHSU Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCHW)
Archive of spotlights
Holly Hinson, M.D., MCR, FAAN named Associate Editor of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Neurology (October 8, 2019).
Watch Hinson's Neurology Grand Rounds: LGBQTI Health in Neurology.
Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-Imagery (SHARP) (OHSU News, Spring 2020)
Program led by Raina Croff, Ph.D. strives to forestall memory loss through walking and reminiscing in north and northeast Portland.
Sará King, Ph.D., T32 postdoctoral fellow and OFDIR awardee, is featured in a story about influential yogis shaking up the way we look at, talk about and practice yoga: 15 Influential Yogis You Need to Know, Yoga Journal
Sará King’s work integrates culturally celebratory yoga and mindfulness practices into a community intervention for Alzheimer’s disease for the African-American community of Portland, SHARP. Her research also focuses on healing the trauma of gentrification and its impact on brain and cognitive health. Sará is an internationally recognized thought leader in field of mindfulness and social justice in schools, and has enjoyed public speaking and advocacy work at the intersection of these fields.